Hong Kong’s subsequent Chief Government shall be Beijing loyalist John Lee

John Lee, a pro-Beijing loyalist who's the only candidate for Hong Kong's top submit, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief executive.

Paul Yeung | Bloomberg | Getty Images

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been elected to be Hong Kong's subsequent chief executive.

Lee, the one candidate for Hong Kong's prime submit, received 1,416 votes in Sunday's election.

About 1,500 members of a largely pro-Beijing election committee solid their votes to select the new chief. Lee only needed a easy majority to win.

The 64-year-old Lee, who was formerly Hong Kong's chief secretary, will begin his five-year time period on July 1, changing outgoing Chief Government Carrie Lam.

Hong Kong is a particular administrative area of China which returned to Chinese language rule in 1997, after the U.Okay. handed over the previous colony to Beijing. It's ruled beneath the "one country, two programs" framework, and has restricted election rights and a principally separate legal and economic system.

Hong Kong's electoral system went by means of a major overhaul last yr after Beijing stated that only so-called "patriots" must be allowed to manipulate town.

At a press conference after his election, Lee was requested if his performance will be "challenged by the lack of electoral mandate and legitimacy within the eyes of some folks."

His reply was that his election was "run in accordance with the legal guidelines of Hong Kong."

"Anyone, who based on the law is certified, can take part and run for the election," he added.

Declaring that he garnered more than 1,400 votes, Lee stated: "With that variety of support, in fact, it encourages me and offers me the strong confidence that my course is agreed and shared by numerous election committee members."

John Lee, a Beijing loyalist, has been picked to be the town's subsequent chief government.

Bloomberg | Getty Photographs

In a be aware last week, analysts at Eurasia Group weighed in on Beijing's alternative of Lee as the next Hong Kong leader.

"The selection of Lee, a career police officer who performed a leading function within the crackdown on the pro-democracy protests that started in 2019, signifies that Beijing's high precedence for Hong Kong is sustaining political safety somewhat than preserving its role as a dynamic international hub," they stated.

"Lee's appointment will reinforce Hong Kong's shift from being a world monetary and enterprise center to playing a narrower role as a capital gateway for China," Eurasia's analysts mentioned. "While the dangers to political and financial stability are modest, Lee's administration could also be poorly geared up to respond to a major shock."

According to China's Covid-19 coverage, Hong Kong has a so-called "dynamic zero" strategy for the virus and imposed strict measures in January in an try to blunt its unfold. The city tightened restrictions additional in February as new circumstances raged, but started easing slightly in late April.

The election was earlier postponed as a consequence of a surge in Covid instances in the Asian financial hub.

I make it a very clear level that I'm very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And also it is a crucial factor for Hong Kong to have the ability to resume regular journey with the mainland.

John Lee

Hong Kong's incoming chief executive

At the press conference, Lee was also asked how he'll show the international community that Hong Kong is open for enterprise.

"Yes, we have now challenges now due to the need to management Covid-19 and a few of the measures are certainly creating inconvenience," he acknowledged.

"I make it a really clear point that I am very aware of the have to be accessible to the world. And in addition it is an important factor for Hong Kong to be able to resume normal journey with the mainland."

He mentioned he can be talking to his counterparts in Beijing "to search out out what are the circumstances that will likely be required for regular travel to be resumed with the mainland."

Lee additionally referred to as on residents to observe the advice and measures of the federal government, and mentioned town will search to spice up its vaccination fee. According to government statistics, more than 91% of the population above the age of 12 have acquired their first vaccine dose as of Saturday, and 85.2% have obtained their second dose.

Hong Kong's outgoing chief executive Lam congratulated Lee on Sunday.

"I lengthen my sincere congratulations to Mr John Lee on his profitable election," she mentioned in a press launch. "The present-term authorities and I'll ensure a seamless transition with the Chief Executive-elect. We are going to render all the assist wanted for the belief of office by the new time period of government."

Correction: This story has been updated to replicate that John Lee won 1,416 votes in Hong Kong's chief executive election. An earlier model of the story misrepresented that determine.